Little Falls transcript., 1887-05-27
have been green or yellow for all tbs
glimpse Tom could get of them. y

glimpse Tom could get OF them. \
lie was mentally anathematizing
sunbonnets of all descriptions, and
wondering if the man who invented
them was dead yet; if not, he wanted
to make target of him immediately.
AS the being beneath the Ito him)
hldeous structure was rather quiet,
he concluded to bide his time, and if
1T proved interesting, he meant to
have all the fun possible during his
two weeks stay. He soliloquized
thus: "Now Aunty is as sharp as a
steel trap, and If this little piece here
does not toe the mark she won't have
her around, but we'll fix things. I
wish she'd throw back that confound-
ed headgear and let fellow see what
she is like"
Presently Miss Patty, having COM
pleted her purchases, stepped out, land
was handed into the wagon by the
clerk, he being glad of an excuse to
satisfy his curiosity regarding the oc-
cupants of the front seat.
The sun by this time was getting
very hot, and Miss Patty told Tom
10 drive along right smart, as she had
dinner to get yet, and they had three
miles or so to go.
"Why, yes, Aunty, I know the pre-
else distance; why shouldn't l, when
lived here so many years; seems as
though you've more enterprising folks
about here than there were three
years ago"
'W eli, yes; you see, since them sem.
mary girls came, seems as though it
IS lveiler about here; you know they
built the seminary the fall ySu went
away
Old Doane did her best, and within
half an hour they were in sight of
white house with green blinds, and
lovely trees and immense rose bushes.
"Jest drive around to the back, Tom,
I've got a lot OF traps, and | don't
like to lug 'enl clear through the
house, Having done as he was de-
sired, he sprung nimbly to the ground
helped Miss Patty out, then handed
her the bundles, and lastly gave Rose
firm, yOOd-sized hand and very awk
wardly knocked off that terrible bon
net. Rose united the strings to get
little air during the drive home The
blue eyes looked defiance at the brown
ones, while the brown ones had alook
that pleaded: "Ill meyer do it again,
please, lna'am."
Rose followed Miss Patty into the
house, while Tom attended to old
Doane. Everything was as neat as a
pin in the little Kitchen The low
stuffed rockers were inviting. and
Rose sat down. Having found hel
+
everything she saw.
What dear little place you have,
SO old-fashioned and so homeIke.
Let me pare those apples for you. I'll
do it ever so thin" Having finished
her task, she went from one thing to
another, and her brig ight ways and light
step soon won Miss Patty's esteem:
and Rose had a firm friend forever
after.
Tom was astonisned at the clear,
pretty face as he tipped the bonnet
off her head, and ne mentally resolv-
ed to BE- on his good behavior, for as
he tod old Doane, out in the barn:
blue eyes, brown hair, short and
plump, and q will OF her own, which
shows itself in their blue Depths; full
OF fup though In fact, Doane, ifyouIl
help me- to manage it, and don't tell
aunty until it's all fixed, we'll marry
her. That is OF course, providing she
isn't spoken for before this. and will
have ,ls you know
DOane neighed as though she under
stood everything, and Tom gave her
a whole peck OF oats III his absent
minde,lneSs
Two-three weeks glided by. Tom
WAS a model OF good behavior. Miss
Patty "as delighted at the success OF
her prest:r' ing. Rose learned the art
of butter-making; and she made Tom
pick cherries. and in a hundred ways
made himself generally useful; and
though he protested he was sinfully
lie could not keep out OF the
kitchen.
When the three weeks were up Rose
decided to tell Miss Patty that she was
OILY a SEMINARY girl, and that she
must go home to spend the holidays.
II tell you what, Rose, if you and
Tom here will hitcn horses, you might
stay right along.'
''Hurrah for Aunt Patty" shouted
Tom, "what do you say, Rose, will
you be my wite?"
'Oh, Tom Slocum, Ihavenot known
you but three weeks; besides, what
would my folks say? And, don't you
know, Tom. the old saying, that "a
change OF name and not OF letter, is
change for worse and not for better?:' -
II an only school girl, Tom, and
would make you a mad cap vile
"l'll soon tame you" laughed Tom.
''We will write to father and mother
You see c!aim them a]ready-and !
don't want my wife to be too learned.
Say yes, Rose darling, and will at
tend to all difficulties. and the old
saying wont be true in our case"
Aunt Patty, who meanwhile sat
stoning cherries, now spoke up again:
''rom is good boy, Rose. and you
might do q great sight worse, sides
want to, see him settled III life before
! die"
''Well, you are both SO determined,
YOU may have me, Tom, for better or
for worse. mind, warn you, it might
be for the worse.'
"We'lI take all the risks" cried
happy Tom SIocnm.
So In just a month from that day,
Rose Stoneleieh became the bride OF
Tom Slocum. and r. happier couple
never existed, and her five brides
maids were the girls that sat on the
veranda Of the hotel. Though some
of them are grandmothers now, they
never forget tt cir wild little leader,
Rose Stoneleigh.-Maina Farmer.
He Wouldn't Spoil the Dinner.